HOW IT WORKS
How an engagement works
Four phases that follow your contract, from the tender to Completion, each with a date you can hold us to.
We reply to every enquiry within one working day.
NEC ACCREDITED
APMG QUALIFIED
P6 / MS PROJECT / ASTA
NEC / JCT / FIDIC
THE FOUR PHASES
Start at the phase your job is in
A contract tests the programme at four moments: at tender, at the first submission, at every revision and every time the job changes. Each phase is built for one of them and has its own date.
TENDER AND PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Plan
READY FOR YOUR TENDER RETURN DATE
The programme behind your bid: the sequence, the key dates and what they depend on.
YOU RECEIVE
A logic-linked tender programme with key dates and sequencing, in its native file and a PDF
The narrative: how the work will be done and what the dates depend on
Before start on site, the contract clock, long-lead procurement and interfaces in one pack
Services in this phase: Tender programmes and Pre-construction planning
Pre-construction pack, demo project
FIRST PROGRAMME
Accept
BEFORE YOUR FIRST PROGRAMME IS DUE
Within 5 working days of the scope being agreed, for a single-phase job.
A first programme built to be accepted, checked against your contract before it is submitted.
YOU RECEIVE
The first programme in its native file and a PDF, with its narrative
Under NEC, a check against the clause 31.2 list before it is submitted
If it comes back, what stopped acceptance put right, ready to resubmit
Services in this phase: Clause 31 and 32 programmes and First programme after award
Clause 31 compliance review, demo project
UPDATES AND REPORTING
Control
ISSUED WITHIN TWO WORKING DAYS OF THE DATA DATE
Monthly as standard, weekly when the job moves faster.
The programme updated on a fixed cycle, so it keeps matching the job and each revision goes in on time.
YOU RECEIVE
The updated programme each cycle, in its native file and a PDF
With Programme Control, the Programme Report, the Obstacles to Completion tracker and a four-week look-ahead template
If the programme no longer matches the job, a recovery programme the team can trust again
Progress S-curve, demo project
Services in this phase: Project controls and reporting, Outsourced planning team and Programme recovery
CHANGE AND DELAY
Protect
BEFORE YOUR QUOTATION IS DUE
Under NEC, three weeks from the instruction, unless a longer time is agreed.
When the job changes, the effect on your dates is measured and shown on the programme, so every quotation stands on evidence.
YOU RECEIVE
The time impact of each event, measured against the Accepted Programme
The programme alterations and the narrative for your quotation
Where time is in dispute, a review of what the records support
Impacted programme in P6, demo project
Services in this phase: Compensation events and Forensic delay analysis
NEC Planning Solutions ran our P6 progress updates and dashboards through to commissioning. Accurate, on time, and it gave our team and the client what they needed. Well supported throughout, so it never added load to us.
Charlie Brierton
Project Manager, Studley Engineering
THE STANDARD
What every update passes before it is issued
An NEC Accredited Project Manager reviews every programme, report and assessment before it is issued. Every update also passes these checks in its native file.
Data date set and progress applied to it
Lags and constraints reviewed
Float movement explained
A narrative of what moved and why
Logic complete, with no open ends
Critical and near-critical paths shown
Early warnings and change shown on the programme
Native file and PDF issued together
WORKING WITH US
From your enquiry to a fixed fee
WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY
WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE CALL
ON THE AGREED DATE
A reply and a 30-minute call
Tell us the contract, the stage and what you need. You don't need to send anything first.
Scope and fixed fee in writing
The outputs, the dates and the fee, agreed before any chargeable work.
Work starts
Monthly support starts at the first agreed cut-off.
FIXED FEES
One fee per piece of work or per cycle. No hourly billing.
MINIMUM TERM
Monthly support: three months, then 30 days' notice.
CONFIDENTIAL
Your documents are used for your job only.
INSURED
Professional indemnity £2m, public liability £5m, employer's liability £10m.
QUESTIONS
Common questions about how we work
How quickly can you start?
We reply to every enquiry within one working day. The scope and fee follow within 48 hours of the first call. A first programme is ready within 5 working days of the scope being agreed, for a single-phase job. Monthly support starts at the next agreed cut-off.
Do we have to use all four phases?
No. Most clients start with one piece of work, such as a tender programme or a compensation event. Monthly support can follow when the job needs it. Each piece of work has its own fixed fee.
What do you need from us?
Nothing to start the conversation. Once the scope is agreed, we work from the contract, the Scope, any programme you already have and the procurement list. For monthly support, a named contact on your team sends the progress returns by each cut-off.
Who checks the work before it is issued?
An NEC Accredited Project Manager reviews every programme, report and assessment before it goes to you. Each update also passes the checks listed on this page.
Can you work to a main contractor's programme specification?
Yes. Coding, calendars, layout and the submission format are set to the specification you work under, whether that is the Client's Scope or a main contractor's subcontract requirements.
Do you work on site?
Most work is remote, with site days when the job needs them. Site days are quoted before they happen.